The Pavilion of Echoing Fates stood like an ancient sentinel at the peak of the trial groundsa temple carved into the mountainside, sealed behind layers of invisible arrays and humming spiritual formations. Only those who passed the Trial of Ten Thousand Steps were permitted inside.
Ethan and Elena, alongside the remaining five top cultivators, stepped past the threshold. As the spiritual lock dissolved with a pulse of ancient light, a cold draft met them unnatural, and laced with the faint scent of blood and decay.
Inside, the corridors wound like a labyrinth, each step echoing on polished stone. Blue lantern flames flickered to life, revealing murals that depicted battles between celestial beasts and abyssal horrors. Ethan felt the Dragon Slayer Sword tremble slightly at his back, reacting to some buried malice.
This place isn't just a vault,
Elena whispered,
It's a battlefield sealed in time.
They advanced cautiously, passing statues of long-dead cultivators whose weapons still radiated dormant qi. From the side hall, Kieran Vale's sharp gaze flicked to Ethan,
The Abyss didn't wait for us to unlock this place. Something is already watching us.
A sudden screech tore through the silence. From the shadows ahead, a monstrous creature lunged a grotesque beast fused from multiple spiritual animals, with a panther's body, serpent limbs, and a skull face that leaked dark mist.
Abyssal Fangbeast! shouted Daro Flamehart, leaping forward. His molten fists slammed into the beast's shoulder, burning through flesh but it regenerated instantly.
The battle erupted. Lira and Alira danced across the stone floor, their frost-moon blades slicing cleanly, only for the beast's limbs to reform with more venomous spikes. Elena stepped beside them, forming a thunder array that locked the creature in place temporarily.
Ethan moved like lightning. His silver needles flew, targeting the beast's qi veins. But the Fangbeast twisted unnaturally, dodging mid-air. In that moment, Ethan narrowed his eyes.
It's not just abyssal. It's sentient.
A raspy laugh echoed through the chamber. From the dark ceiling, several pairs of glowing red eyes blinked open.
They weren't alone.
Five more creatures dropped from above, surrounding the cultivators. These weren't mindless beasts they moved in tactical formation, each carrying residual aura of corrupted cultivation.
They're failed disciple, Miral Shan muttered in horror.
Absorbed and twisted by the Abyss.
Elena's qi surged to its peak. "We'll purify them if we must."
Kieran and Ethan exchanged nods before springing into action. While Kieran's Voidpiercer cleaved apart the front line, Ethan activated the Azure Vein Severing Needle Formation, creating a temporary pocket of stillness in the chaos.
Elena blasted one of the creatures into ice dust with her Thunderfrost Pulse. Meanwhile, Daro roared, igniting his full inner flame and melting two beasts into black sludge.
But then one of the creatures lunged at Alira from behind.
Ethan's instincts screamed. In a flash, he was between them, Dragon Slayer Sword gleaming with inner light. With one clean arc, he bisected the creature but its poison claws grazed his shoulder.
The pain seared, but he remained standing. Elena rushed to his side, her eyes fierce.
You okay?
He nodded, gritting his teeth.
This poison's spiritual but manageable.
A final roar echoed through the hall as the last of the beasts fell. Blood and shadows splattered the cracked tiles.
Silence returned only broken by the panting of battle-worn cultivators.
As the group caught their breath, a hidden door rumbled open at the end of the corridor. Inside was a staircase of glimmering light descending deeper into the earth.
The true trial hasn't even started,
Kieran murmured.
Elena looked toward Ethan. Whatever's below it's calling to your sword.
He nodded, the blade on his back humming louder now. And it's time we answered.
Together, they stepped toward the unknown where the fangs that lurked in the shadows were only the beginning.